This briefing paper deals with the law in England and Wales. Scotland and Northern Ireland have separate processes for dealing with the estates of deceased persons.

Grants of probate

Personal representatives – executors where they are appointed by a will, or administrators otherwise – are responsible for dealing with the estate of a deceased person. Their authority to receive the assets in the estate is proved by a grant of representation. It is not always necessary to apply for a grant of representation. Much depends on the size of the estate and the type of assets it comprises.

A grant of probate is one type of grant of representation but the expression “grant of probate” is sometimes used as a generic term for all types of grant. In this briefing paper, the expression “grant of probate” includes other forms of grants of representation.

Current fees

At present, probate applications are charged a fee of £155 if made by a solicitor, and £215 if made by an individual. These fees apply to estates worth £5,000 or more. The fees are currently set at cost recovery levels.

2016 consultation

In 2016, the Government consulted on proposals to reform probate fees. The consultation asked for views on introducing a fee structure for applications for grants of probate based on the value of the estate; increasing the threshold below which no fee is payable for applications for grants of probate from £5,000 to £50,000; and removing applications from the general fee remissions (‘help with fees’) scheme.

Using a statutory power to charge enhanced fees, the Government proposed fees set above cost recovery levels, with the intention of using the additional fee income to subsidise other court costs. The Government proposed seven fee bands, with the fee increasing in line with the value of the estate. Fees were to start at £300 for estates worth between £50,000 and £300,000, rising to a maximum fee of £20,000 for estates worth more than £2 million.

2017 response to consultation

On 24 February 2017, the Government published its response to the consultation and confirmed that it would proceed with the proposals, subject to approval from Parliament.

A large majority of the 853 respondents to the consultation disagreed with the proposal to charge a fee based on the size of the estate, and with the proposed new fee structure. Opponents argued, among other things, that the size of the fee should not exceed the cost of delivering the service; that the cost of delivering the service is the same regardless of the value of the estate; and that the new fees were excessive and would effectively amount to a form of taxation. In response, the Government said that the increased fees were necessary to ensure adequate funding for the court service, in order to provide access to justice in the long term.

The draft Non-Contentious Probate Fees Order 2017, (the 2017 draft Order) intended to implement the Government’s proposals, was laid before Parliament on 24 February 2017. The Order required the formal approval of both Houses of Parliament to become law. There was not enough time for the Order to complete its passage through Parliament due to the General Election in June 2017. The 2017 draft Order has now been withdrawn.

The House of Lords Secondary Legislation Committee and the Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments drew special attention to the 2017 draft Order.

2018: Revised proposals

On 5 November 2018, junior Justice Minister, Lucy Frazer announced that the draft Non‑Contentious Probate Fees Order 2018, (the 2018 draft Order) had been laid before Parliament, and that this would implement revised proposals. She said that the Government had listened to the concerns expressed about the fees previously proposed and had reduced the amounts, adding that the new fee model reflected the Government’s commitment to “protecting access to justice by ensuring we have a properly funded and resourced courts system”.

The 2018 draft Order would introduce a new regime of fees for applications for a grant of probate, with a banded structure based on the value of the estate. In short it would:

increase the estate threshold below which no fee for an application for a grant of probate is payable from £5,000 to £50,000;

introduce fees ranging from £250 for estates worth between £50,000 and £300,000, to £6,000 for estates worth more than £2 million;

remove applications for a grant of probate from the generally applicable remissions scheme for courts and tribunal fees, while retaining the Lord Chancellor’s power to remit or reduce a fee in exceptional circumstances.

The Government estimates that the revised proposals would generate over £145million in additional fee income in 2019/20, rising each subsequent year in line with increases in estate values. Lucy Frazer stated that all income raised would be spent on running the courts and tribunal service.

The 2018 draft Order would apply to England and Wales only. It will need the formal approval of both Houses of Parliament to become law

The House of Lords Secondary Legislation Scrutiny Committee (Sub-Committee A) has drawn the 2018 draft Order to the special attention of the House, on the ground that it gives rise to issues of public policy likely to be of interest to the House. The Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments has also drawn the special attention of both Houses to the 2018 draft Order on the grounds that, if it is approved and made, there will be a doubt whether it is intra vires, and that it would in any event make an unexpected use of the power conferred by the enabling Act.

On 18 December 2018, Lord Keen of Elie, Government spokesperson for Ministry of Justice business in the House of Lords, moved that the 2018 draft Order be approved. Lord Marks of Henley-on-Thames, Liberal Democrat Justice Spokesperson in the Lords, moved an amendment, intended to object to the draft Order becoming law. That motion was defeated on division by 187 votes to 90. The Lords then voted by 186 to 161 in favour of a non‑fatal motion to regret moved by Lord Beecham, Shadow Justice Spokesperson. The motion to approve the 2018 draft Order was agreed as amended.

The 2018 draft Order was considered by the 14th Delegated Legislation Committee on 7 February 2019. Lucy Frazer disagreed with the conclusions of the Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments and the House of Lords Secondary Legislation Scrutiny Committee. She said that the Government had authority to impose enhanced fees and was clear that there would be an application fee for a specific purpose, distinct from general taxation. Shadow Justice Minister, Gloria De Piero, spoke of “fierce opposition to these proposed changes, from legal ​experts, charities and legislative bodies”. On division, the Committee resolved that it had considered the 2018 draft Order by 9 votes to 8.

The 2018 draft Order is now awaiting formal approval by the House of Commons.